“Welcome to the Table” May 15, 2006 Jay Lucas Deputy Commissioner for Patent Examination Policy

““Welcome to the Table”Welcome to the Table”

May 15, 2006May 15, 2006

Jay LucasJay Lucas

Deputy Commissioner for Patent Examination Policy

22

The Need for ChangeThe Challenges of the Corps

First Course - AppetizersFirst Course - Appetizers

33

Patent* Applications FiledPatent* Applications Filed

0

50000

100000150000

200000

250000

300000350000

400000

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

FY 05 plan 375,080 (5.5% above FY 04)

FY 05 actual 384,228 (8.1% above FY04)

2.6% over plan

Patent* - in this instance refers to only utility, plant and reissue applications Patent* - in this instance refers to only utility, plant and reissue applications

44

First Action Pendency by Art AreasFirst Action Pendency by Art Areas

High Pendency Art AreasPendency

1

(months)Low Pendency Art Areas

Pendency1

(months)1640 – Immunology, Receptor/ Ligands, Cytokines, Recombinant Hormones, and Molecular Biology

27.71620 – Heterocyclic Compounds and Uses

16.9

1743 – Analytic Chemistry & Wave Energy

30.8 1752 – Radiation Imagery 12.1

2123 – Simulation and Modeling, Emulation of Computer Components

39.72125 – Manufacturing Control Systems and Chemical/ Mechanical/Electrical Control

20.0

2617 – Interactive Video Distribution 50.42651 – Dynamic Information Storage & Retrieval

16.1

2836 – Control Circuits 24.3 2833 – Electrical Connectors 7.8

3628 – Finance & Banking, Accounting 52.1 3612 – Land Vehicles 12.0

3731 – Surgery: Cutting, Clamping, Suturing

30.9 3723 – Tools & Metal Working 10.9

1 “Average 1st action pendency” is the average age from filing to first action for a newly filed application, completed during

October-December 2005.

55

““So Go and Hire Some Examiners”So Go and Hire Some Examiners”

1600 1700 2100 2600 2800 3600 3700 Corps Design

FY 04 Hires 75 35 115 116 31 26 45 443 15

FY 04 Attritions 30 26 58 82 58 43 39 336 4

FY 05 BOY Examiner Staff

417 440 563 658 742 422 439 3681 72

FY 05 Hiring 101 58 225 169 184 91 131 959 19

FY 05 Attrits 42 39 93 92 54 55 50 425 10

FY 06 Hiring Goal 75 35 256 256 178 100 100 1000 20

FY 06 hires (1/25/06) 30 19 75 62 40 22 21 269 0

FY05 Hires as a Percent of Examiner Staffing in the TC

24% 13% 40% 26% 25% 22% 30% 26% 26%

Pendency Reduction Action Plan (8.1% filing growth rate)

Update on Published NPRsUpdate on Published NPRsClaims and ContinuationsClaims and Continuations

Jay Lucas

88

Claims-Continuations UpdateClaims-Continuations Update

1. Notices of proposed rule makings (NPRMs) concerning claims and continuing applications were published on January 3, 2006

2. The comment period for these NPRMs closed on May 3, 2006

188 comments on the claims NPRM received

334 comments on the continuing applications NPRM received

99

What suggestions would you make?What suggestions would you make?

What changes would you make to the notice of proposed rule making for the examination of claims?

What changes would you make to the notice of proposed rule making for the practice of continuing applications?

1010

Initiatives On the TableInitiatives On the Table

Second Course – Dinner is ServedSecond Course – Dinner is Served

1111

Many New Policy Initiatives and Many New Policy Initiatives and Potential ProjectsPotential Projects

1. Accelerated Examination

2. Markush or Other Alternative Language

3. Preexamination Search Report

4. Information Disclosure Statements

5. Notice of Inquiry – Inequitable Conduct

6. Peer to Peer Pilot

7. Deferred Examination

1212

The Sweet Things in LifeThe Sweet Things in Life

Third Course – DessertThird Course – Dessert

1313

Sweets and TreatsSweets and Treats

1. Priority Document Exchange

2. EFS-Web

1414

UserAccesses USPTO

Portal

UserAccesses USPTO

Portal

Access EFS-WebAs Unregistered

Filer

Access EFS-WebAs Unregistered

Filer

Authenticate as Registered

Filer

Authenticate as Registered

Filer

•New Application•Design•Utility•Provisional•371

•Existing Application•Saved Package•Last 20 EFS receipts

•New Application•Design•Utility•Provisional•371

Pay FeesVia RAMInterface

Pay FeesVia RAMInterface

Access Filing in Private PAIR

(Registered Filer Only)

Access Filing in Private PAIR

(Registered Filer Only)

ReceiveAcknowledgement

Receipt

ReceiveAcknowledgement

Receipt

ChoosePaymentOptions

ChoosePaymentOptions

EnterKey Bibliographic

Data (New Only)

EnterKey Bibliographic

Data (New Only)

Attach PDFFiles

Attach PDFFiles

Uploadand

Validate

Uploadand

Validate

CalculateFees

(Optional)

CalculateFees

(Optional)SubmitSubmit

Overview Overview How EFS-Web WorksHow EFS-Web Works

1515

EFS-Web BenefitsEFS-Web Benefits

Requires no changes to your existing patent application authoring process

Eliminates charges for Express Mail & couriers

Eliminates possibility of losing applications enroute to USPTO

Dramatically reduces paper and file storage costs

Allows online collaboration among IP professionals who can file applications and papers anywhere, anytime

Plays a vital role in strengthening the U.S. IP system

1616

EFS-Web BenefitsEFS-Web Benefits

Safe EFS-Web submissions protect your filing date

just like a post card receipt

Simple Even the largest and most complex patent

applications can be submitted using PDF files and a few web screens

Secure EFS-Web submissions are protected through

Digital Certificates, the most secure method now available

1717

EFS-Web BenefitsEFS-Web Benefits

Fast Patent applications and documents can be

submitted and a receipt obtained in minutes

Flexible Requires NO changes to the processes &

tools you use to author patent applications and documents

Forgiving Checks documents before submission to

ensure compatibility with USPTO standards

1818

Contact InformationContact Information

Jay Lucas

Deputy Commissioner for Patent Examination Policy

e-mail: [email protected]

Phone: 571-272-8800